Who are we:

Muintir Mhuire was set up on 1st Oct 2003 in Monacraigh Cottage, Ladysbridge, Co. Cork, a house on temporary loan by another charity.It began totally dependent on Divine Providence, with httle funds assets or materials, but with great trust in a loving God who knows all our needs. It was set up by Fr. Donal 0' Callaghan, who has been working as a priest for the last 30 years, and been led by the Holy Spirit to the assistance of many young people.

These are his words:
"During all these years I had met many young people who at the time of decision in their lives, found themselves under a lot of pressure, people who were badly in need of a place to take time out to be able to look at all the options available to them. A place where they could begin to appreciate all their blessings and come to know the immense love that God has for them.".
"Over many years this realisation of a need for such a place became a desire to do something about it and the desire grew stronger"
So it was after much thought, prayer, fasting and discussion with family and friends a group came together with Fr. Donal and set about the formation of Muintir Mhuire with the support of his bishop. Bishop John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne appointed Fr. Donal Spiritual Director to Muintir Mhuire and freed him from other pastoral duties so that he could devote himself full time to organising Muintir Mhuire.

• Limited company named "Muintir Mhuire Toeranta" company no. 371478.
• Board of Directors:
  • Sr. Theresa Breen , chairperson.
    
  • Sr. Elizabeth Sheehan.
  • Mrs.Miriam Maher. 
  • Mrs. Joan Doyle. 
  • Mr. John Buckley.
  • Mr. John Dennehy.
  • Mr. Tim Meehan.
  • Mrs. Mary Wilkinson.
    
• Registered Charity with Tax exemption, Charitable Status no. CHY 15432.
• Under the Patronage of Most Rev, Dr John Magee.
• Spiritual Director , Fr Donal O'Callaghan.
• Supported by "Cairde Muintir Mhuire" a group of supporters and benefactors set up for the assistance and development of Muintir Mhuire.

Fr. Donal had left school at the age of 14 and served an apprenticeship to carpentry and worked as a carpenter until he was 22 years old. He began his studies at a late vocation college in Scotland in 1969. He was ordained a Deacon on Holy Thursday 1976 and was ordained a Priest on June 19th 1977. While on loan to the Diocese of Hamilton, he served as associate pastor in Sacred Heart Parish, Walkerton, and Chaplain to Sacred Heart Secondary School.
On his return to Cloyne he was appointed Chaplain to Mallow County Hospital, while serving also as a curate in that parish and teaching religion in the local Vocational School. He later served in the Parishes of Banteer, Donoughmore and Carrigtwohill.
 
Having worked as a priest for 30 years these are his words;

"During all these years I had met many young people who at the time of decision in their lives, found themselves under a lot of pressure, people who were badly in need of a place to take  time out to be able to look at all the options available to them. A place where they could begin to appreciate all their blessings and come to know the immense love that God has for them.
Over many years this realisation of a need for such a place became a desire to do something about it and the desire grew stronger"


Fr Donal O'Caliaghan was involved in the Legion of Mary, The Pioneers, and Youth Work in his own home parish before beginning his studies for the Priesthood. As a student he became involved in the Charismatic Renewal
movement and all throughout his ministry he has continued to use the Life in the Spirit Seminars to introduce people to Prayer and Holy Scripture. Fr.  Donal has worked for 30 years as a Priest, in various parishes in Cloyne Diocese and for two of those years in the Diocese of Hamilton,Ontario.

I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him will bear much fruit.
(John 15:5-6,2:)

Member of Community

“For a long time before I joined the community I had a lack of enthusiasm and hope for life, I ended up giving up my job and had even given up wanting to put in an effort to live life.  The reason for this was because I perceived things to be true in relation to dealing with people that were not true and nothing I had tried prior to then to end this suffering had worked.  The main problems were what I thought people were saying about me, how was I coming across to people and a self-consciousness that resulted in me withdrawing from interacting with people.  After going through this for a long time I ended up having a carefree attitude by not caring about myself or anyone else and feeling depression, anxiety and despair. 

Then one day when I was in Medjugorje I was introduced by a lady to Muintir Mhuire.

I met and talked with the spiritual director and a member of the community.  I felt what they had to say was very encouraging, hopeful and that the issues I was dealing with would be healed with enough time and prayer.  I brought home and read some of the literature and gave it some thought for a while because joining the community meant leaving home and moving to Cork.  Then eventually I decided I would give it a try and join up for six months or more.Since then I can say in all honesty that many parts of my life have been greatly improved.  Not only do I not suffer anymore from all the problems which I mentioned above, other aspects of my life, which I never intended or even considered needed improving have been greatly developed.  Abilities such as managerial and leadership skills, problem solving, being available for people when they need to talk, giving encouragement and being able to identify and help others who have similar difficulties that I had.  These are abilities I didn’t know I had.  Some of the most valuable things I’ve learned about Christian Community Living is that being preoccupied with the needs of others; I take the emphasis off myself, I stop focusing on what I can’t do or don’t have and start appreciating and being grateful for all I can do and the gifts God has given me.

I would like to finish by saying that I am confident that I would not be where I am now without all the prayer, support and friendship that I experienced while being a member of Muintir Mhuire.  I will always be grateful to all who were involved in the community while I was a member and I strongly believe that it is making a very valuable contribution to the lives of other people and the life of the Church in Ireland and hopefully in time, many other places as well.”